AHC Removed - Rough Ride (1 Viewer)

[petrus829]

Firstly, apologies if this topic has been covered here, I've researched reasonably extensively and have not found an answer. please point me to it if I've missed it.

I purchased a 2002 LX470 (200k mi) last year with an already deleted AHC, replaced with the strut masters kit. I know this is not a great option. Gabriel Ultra Shocks. stock torsion bars not been replaced so far as I know. My issue is the ride is pretty horrendous. the "feeling every crack in the road" thing that many posters here complain of, but Speed bumps are no problem.

I'm wondering where is best to start troubleshooting here ... are the torsion bars over-indexed to accommodate the extra weight, and unable to absorb any more play maybe? are the shocks too hard? The bushings on shocks seem fine. I'm just not sure where to start and don't want to throw $$ and effort in the wrong direction. My GX (rear AHC deleted) rides like a dream compared to the LX. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated!


Edit: of course, right after I posted this, I found: Ride Issues Following LX470 AHC Delete - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/ride-issues-following-lx470-ahc-delete.1291072/
this answers some questions and offers some solutions for sure. but if any other ideas, I still appreciate!

 

[SteveH]

What's your tire size/profile and pressure? Low profile and high pressures will assure a crappy ride.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Firstly, apologies if this topic has been covered here, I've researched reasonably extensively and have not found an answer. please point me to it if I've missed it.

I purchased a 2002 LX470 (200k mi) last year with an already deleted AHC, replaced with the strut masters kit. I know this is not a great option. Gabriel Ultra Shocks. stock torsion bars not been replaced so far as I know. My issue is the ride is pretty horrendous. the "feeling every crack in the road" thing that many posters here complain of, but Speed bumps are no problem.

I'm wondering where is best to start troubleshooting here ... are the torsion bars over-indexed to accommodate the extra weight, and unable to absorb any more play maybe? are the shocks too hard? The bushings on shocks seem fine. I'm just not sure where to start and don't want to throw $$ and effort in the wrong direction. My GX (rear AHC deleted) rides like a dream compared to the LX. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated!


Edit: of course, right after I posted this, I found: Ride Issues Following LX470 AHC Delete - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/ride-issues-following-lx470-ahc-delete.1291072/
this answers some questions and offers some solutions for sure. but if any other ideas, I still appreciate!

You need to replace the torsion bars to start. From there, check all the rubber components. It's common that sway bar bushings and control arm bushings go bad and cause harsh feeling ride. Same for ball joints.

 

[jLB]

Without much explanation other than “rough ride”, it’s kind of hard to help.

It could be that you’re “blowing through” all of your travel, and “banging on the bump stops (and/or full extension)”, or “you have no travel” due to being “over sprung” or “over dampened “…

You also don’t mention what aftermarket weight that you might have.

 

[DougieLX470]

I had something similar a while back. It was riding on the bump stops (no suspension travel). Once I cranked the TB a bit it fixed the issue for me. If you have the stock LX torsion bars you should be replacing those for sure.

 

[willyroo]

Edit: of course, right after I posted this, I found: Ride Issues Following LX470 AHC Delete - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/ride-issues-following-lx470-ahc-delete.1291072/
this answers some questions and offers some solutions for sure. but if any other ideas, I still appreciate!

+3 to that thread - the standard 100 series suspension, with Toyota (non AHC) TBs, rear coils, and Tokico shocks, is the most comfortable ride out there. Except for AHC of course

 

[MongooseGA]

Bushings. At 200k, you need them all.

 

[petrus829]

Thank you all for the thoughtful replies! I'm going to start with the stock OEM LC shocks and go from there. Appreciate it!

 

[krice118]

check your tire pressure too

 

[NE Snowman]

For what it’s worth, just picked up an 03 Cruiser 180k, shocks have been replaced and rides pretty well. I still need to replace most bushings though. Definitely better than my old 4R Xreas that i yanked out.

 

[AFei]

Except for AHC of course

Assuming deleting AHC also deletes the variable damping, I think you are loosing the 2 most important features of LX470.

To my scenario of LX as overlander (not a dedicated hard hard core off-roader), the AHC combining with variable damping provides the best off-road capacity and on-road comfort, considering most of the SUV, even off-roader, drives 99% on-road. Especially on winding mountain highway, the ability to stiffer the damp gives me the super confidence to be ahead of the traffic and keeps up along with Porsche, even with 250+ lb of added weight on the roof .